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The word “fun” probably wasn't used much around the Cooper Standard offices roughly three years ago as the company faced bankruptcy protection and had to cut $650 million in debt.

But with the North American International Auto Show back in town, and those struggles now in the rear-view mirror, it's an exciting time for the automotive supplier of body sealing systems, anti-vibration systems, fuel, brake and emissions systems and thermal management systems with its global headquarters in Novi.

“It's such a neat time and as fun of a time as I've ever seen,” Lyle Otremba, vice president of commercial and product planning for Cooper Standard, said in the company's suite at the NAIAS last week. “We have better predictability now and can make investments that will help us grow long term.”

Otremba said last year the auto industry was still in recovery, but going into 2012 it is “more upbeat.” The company, with 21,000 employees in 19 countries, has lofty goals for its thermal management and fuel, brake and emissions systems, and continues to be the world's top supplier of body sealing systems.

With the government looking to raise the fuel economy standard to 56.5 mpg by 2025, Otremba said Cooper Standard is taking on the challenge to make it a reality.

Another sign of improving times is that the company's third-quarter financial results (fourth-quarter results have not been released) were better than at the same time in 2010. Revenue was up 21 percent when compared with the third quarter last year, and revenue for the nine months ending Sept. 30, 2011, was $2.16 billion, compared to $1.81 billion in the same period of 2010.

The company also joined with Rochester Hills native Brad Keselowski and the No. 29 RAM team as major sponsors for the entire 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.

Helping others also is a big part of the company's focus, and since 2008 it has raised $1.6 million for S.A.Y. Detroit Medical Clinic alone, while also helping out other organizations such as S.A.Y. HAVEN, United Way and several others.

“It's part of our culture to give back,” Otremba said.

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